style="font-size:15px;"> “I could not hear what Yeshua and Demas talked about for so long.”
“Yeshua explained why he had to die. He also talked about the completion of the prophecies. Demas didn’t understand at first, but then he did.” Adas told Jamin about the other thief’s comments and how Demas rebuked him. “Then your brother asked Yeshua to remember him when he came into his kingdom. And Yeshua said, ‘Today you will be with Me in Paradise.’ I could see Demas believed him, even though I was astonished at the statement. After the earthquake, Demas could barely speak, but he said to me, ‘Tell my brother, because I took up this cross, I go to be with God. Tell Jamin I will wait for him there.’ He also spoke of Yeshua. He said, ‘He is more than righteous. He is the Son of God.’”
Jamin dropped his head in his hands. Adas looked at Cleopas with concern, but he gestured everything was all right. Jamin raised his head. “Thank you! You have given my life back to me. My brother is alive with God.”
“There’s more. Demas felt no pain before he died.”
“How do you know?”
“Just before Octavean broke his legs, Demas suddenly relaxed. He said something I will never forget. He said, ‘You make the clouds Your chariot, You walk on the wings of the wind.’ Was he talking about God?”
“Yes, it is from the Book of Psalms. Demas said Yeshua promised to be with him when he was crucified. We didn’t know he meant that literally.”
Adas asked, “Why did Yeshua say, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani!’ as if God had abandoned him?”
“He was quoting from the 22nd Psalm. It prophesized how he would be rejected, put to death, and would live again.”
“I want to read this Book of Psalms. You say Yeshua is the final sacrifice, but why did he have to die in such a brutal way?”
“Because it is the law, and Yeshua fulfilled the law and the words of the prophets. Hundreds of years ago, Isaiah precisely described Yeshua’s earthly life in the 53rd section of his prophecies. Even his execution fulfilled prophesies. You refused to break his legs. It is fulfillment of prophecy for none of the Messiah’s bones to be broken the same as the lamb we prepare for Passover. You fulfilled prophecy when you gave Yeshua wine vinegar when he said, ‘I thirst.’ You need to meet Peter and John. They can teach you HaDerech, the Way.”
“If I live long enough. My men were very confident when they tried to kill me.”
“How will you deal with them?” Jamin asked. “Will you have them executed?”
“Of course! They also took bribes and abandoned their post. This kind of behavior cannot be permitted; otherwise, there would be complete chaos.”
“You’re right,” Cleopas said, “There has to be order and consequences. Laws exist for the good of the people. Yet, I believe God will deal with those soldiers in his own way.”
“By Roman law their execution is required. What else can I do?”
Jamin shrugged. “We don’t have all the answers, Adas. But did you not provide strong wine for Demas and the other thief? Did you not provide for the burial of the thief? He was a mere stranger to you and a criminal.”
“It was a matter of decency, that’s all.”
Cleopas frowned. “I have misjudged you, Adas. I apologize.”
“No apology needed, Cleopas. You helped save my life.”
“Malchus should be back by now,” said Jamin as he opened the door and checked the height of the moon. “He’s been gone nearly an hour.”
“You have endangered yourselves for my sake long enough.”
“Adas, you should not go back to the Antonia alone, especially unarmed,” exclaimed Jamin. “Hopefully, we will meet Malchus coming back with your friend.”
“You don’t need to go with me. I don’t want anyone at the garrison to know you’re involved. I feel bad enough involving Malchus.”
“We’re going with you,” declared Jamin.
“Can you stop us?” asked Cleopas.
“No wonder you two got the best of Hektor and Falto. Come on then.” They helped him put his armor on. Together, they stepped out into the night.
Chapter 10
Lucius circled around the garden and waited until Malchus, Jamin and Cleopas carried Adas out of sight. He went back and retrieved his weapons. He was tempted to follow them, but he was still feeling the effects of the alcohol and opium. It would be foolish to challenge the temple guard again. Instead, he would find Hektor and Falto. He walked along the road until he saw Falto stumbling across a field, rubbing the back of his head.
“Where’s Hektor?” Falto stopped. Disoriented, he tried to locate the voice. Lucius waved his arms. “Ohe! Weasel! Over here!” Falto walked to the road and sat, nearly falling over. “What happened to you?” Lucius demanded.
Falto looked up with one eye closed and scrutinized his comrade. “I d’ah know. Some’un ‘it me on the head. Was it you?”
“Yes. I wacked you with a wine jug. No! You idiot! I was in the garden. Where’s Hektor?”
“I d’ah know. Isn’t he with you?” Falto blinked at Lucius.
“Yes, he’s standing right next to me. That’s why I said—where is he?” Lucius stomped past him. “You’re useless, Weasel.” If he didn’t find Hektor soon, he’d have to leave him, since the guards would close the city gates at sunset. A halting figure stepped from behind a tangle-branched oak tree on the far side of the field. It was Hektor, holding his knapsack in his arms.
“I keep dumping rocks here,” Hektor called. “When I get back, they’re gone. I think Falto was stealing my rocks.”
Lucius grabbed the knapsack and up ended it.
“What are you doing? You know how long it took me to find those?”
Lucius tossed the knapsack at him. “It’s too late. He’s gone.”
Cold fear punched Hektor in the stomach despite his drunkenness. “What! How?”
Lucius didn’t bother to answer. He grabbed Hektor by the front of his leather armor. “I swear if you double cross me I’ll serve you up to the buzzards.” He shoved the man away from him. Hektor stared as the big legionary turned his back and strode across the field. He picked up a rock and calculated what his odds of success would be if he threw it.
Lucius called over his shoulder. “Come on. I have an idea.”
“Ohe, how well did your last idea work?”
Without turning around, Lucius motioned for Hektor to follow. “Weasel’s, been bashed over the head, which fits my story. Come on.” They grabbed Falto and hauled him to his feet. As they hurried along the road, Lucius shared his plan. They tried to explain the plan to Falto, but he couldn’t remember what
